Cuba In Depth

Travel Just 4U's representative in Cuba will meet you at the airport upon arrival in Havana. They will be holding a sign with your name after you leave the secure area with your bags. 

They will escort you to your private transfer, assist you on check-in at your hotel and present you with a detailed itinerary for your experiences in Cuba. This is your chance to run through specific pick up times and logistics for your tours in the country. If you have any questions regarding your itinerary, ask them now.

Since 1997, the Cuban government has allowed residents to rent rooms in their houses to tourists, they are called Casas Particulares. 

This is one of the most authentic way to get to know they culture as you are essentially staying in someone's home as their guest. These casas are generally simple in nature but they will provide you with a rich experience when exploring Cuba. 

In some areas of the country, there are hotels that we recommend over casas. Hotels in Cuba are simple and often are not to the same standard as other places in Latin America. However, your experience in the culturally rich country will well make up for any perceived lack of luxury on the accommodation front.  

If you have questions as to our recommendations in any of your Cuban destinations, please let your consultant know.

Casa Prado Colonial is located in the World Heritage Site of the historic center in Havana. These old colonial houses retain the original neoclassical style, with spacious rooms, luxury tiled floors and high ceilings between 5 and 7 meters. We offer our Bed & Breakfast and all rooms are equipped with private bathroom, hot and cold water, air conditioning and fan.

Our three properties are situated five minutes away from each other and all the old part of the city can be explored by walking. Nearby are the Museum of Arms, the Fortress “Real Fuerza” and the Cathedral.

Constructed in a building that dates back to 1914, this beautiful colonial hotel in the historical centre of Santiago de Cuba has comfortable rooms, personalised service, a fitness centre, live music, massage service and body treatments. 

It also has a culinary offer with 3 special places: Roof Garden Restaurant, La Terraza Snack Bar and an international Restaurant. This hotel is ideal to explore Santiago de Cuba because of its strategic location in the historical centre right next to Cespedes Park, Heredia street and the Velazquez Balcony.  

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for a private city tour of Santiago de Cuba. This tour will take you to explore the main streets of Santiago de Cuba, and interesting locations including the Plaza de la Revolucion and the “Loma de San Juan” hill for a panoramic view. You will visit Santa Ifigenia cemetery, where several of Cuba’s national heroes lie buried, including Fidel Castro, Carlos de Céspedes and José Martí. 

Afterwards visit the el Morro castle at the entrance of the bay. Also included are visits to the Barrita de Ron Caney and the Casa del Habano, the “House of rum” and “house of cigars”, respectively. There is also some free time at Parque Cespedes for pictures, lunch is included at a local restaurant.

Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city in Cuba and a historical and cultural treasure. The city is often regarded as the root of the Cuban Revolution, and the many museums here retrace key events from this important period of Cuba's history. 

Santiago de Cuba mixes modern architecture and industrial developments with its colorful colonial gems and historic fort. This bustling metropolis is also home to one of the country's most prominent universities, giving it a young and vibrant edge.

Shaped by its rich mix of cultures and Afro-Caribbean heritage, the city is often said to be the most Caribbean city in the country. Today, you can experience this multicultural vibe in the eclectic music, diverse architecture, art galleries, and lively festivals. 

Short trips to nearby attractions are appealing from here, too. Not far from the city, you can visit a famous pilgrimage site, or hike to the top of a rocky summit for inspiring views across mist-shrouded peaks.

For the duration of your private tour within Cuba you will have a private vehicle and a driver guide to accompany you for the duration of your Cuban adventure. While your driver guide does speak English, the level may be slightly more basic than city based guides you will encounter on other guided tours. 

This is an amazing opportunity to interact with a local Cuban who will be incredibly proud to show you their country on this unique road trip

You will be picked up from your hotel this morning by your private driver who will transfer you from Santiago de Cuba to Baracoa. This drive will take approximately  4 hours. 

The Castillo hotel is located on a hill which can be spotted from anywhere in the city, with excellent views of Baracoa and its surroundings. The hotel is a historic place, as it was built between 1737 and 1742 when it was a Spanish fortress called the Ceboruco Castle or the Santa Barbara Castle. It was meant to defend the city from the attacks of buccaneers and pirates, and afterwards it hosted the general quarters of the Village Guards until the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. 

The Castillo hotel offers accommodation, à la carte meals including a wide range of local dishes, afternoon snacks, and local and international drinks, which it makes it an ideal place for healthy recreation. The front desk offers 24-hour reception. Guests can make use of internet access to stay connected. The centre of Baracoa is situated a 5-minute walk from the hotel, offering guests a range of bars and restaurants.

After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel for the “Juncal Rencontra” Excursion. This hike will take you along approximately 7 kms of the beautiful Baracoan countryside and observe a wide variety of plants & animals. During the tour, your local guide will provide details of the local flora and fauna, as well as some of the local history, such as the “discovery” of Cuba by Columbus. 

You will also visit a local coffee and cocoa farm for a peek into the rural Cuban life, as well as information on how coffee and cocoa is farmed and processed. Near the end of the tour, there will be time for an optional swim in a local river, so don’t forget to bring your swimwear. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, afterwards you will be returned to your hotel. 

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and you will begin the drive to Bayamo. This drive will take approximately 5.5 hours and will take you through some beautiful National parks and local Cuban life.

Set in Bayamo, E Royalton features a bar and a terrace. Featuring a restaurant, this 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. Hotel E Royalton aims to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.

Guest rooms offer air conditioning and free breakfast during their visit. When you’re feeling hungry, be sure to check out Somos la Diferencia and La Cosa Nostra, which are some Italian restaurants that are popular with locals and out-of-towners alike.

Hotel E Royalton puts the best of Bayamo at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.

Today you will visit the “Comandancia de la Plata” the old camps of Fidel Castro and Che Guevarra from where they planned the revolution against Batista. This excursion will take you on a hike (6km total) to the former rebel HQ of Fidel Castro through the beautiful nature, where you can still see the old attributes from the rebels. Along the way, you will rest at Casa Medina, a local farm belonging to a family of farmers that supported Castro and his rebels by providing food and information. 

Once you arrive at the camp itself, you can visit the small barracks, the local clinic where Che Guevara treated the sick and injured, as well as Fidel Castro’s personal quarters, which functioned as the revolution’s command center. All three buildings are filled with memorabilia and information placards, detailing how the revolution grew from a small group of starving rebels to an island-spanning organization, increasingly successful at sabotaging the Batista regime and fighting its armed forces. A boxed lunch is included and afterwards you will be returned to your hotel. 

Bayamo is where the fight for Cuban independence got its start, but somehow despite this spirit, it’s an easy-going place. It’s easy to think you’ve stepped out of a time machine when you arrive here. You’ll hear the clip clop of horses (which half the population still uses as a form of transportation) and the calls of street vendors instead of the din of car horns honking in traffic.  The tropical mountains and forest helped revolutionaries hide at the height of the conflict. Fidel Castro himself hid in the mountains in this area for over two years in the 1950s. Here are some suggestions whilst visiting this unique town:

Parque Cespedes - Sit under the leafy trees and watch day to day life unfold around you. The square is a musical destination, the city orchestra often performs as do other groups - both scheduled and spontaneously. You’re also in the presence of much history, Cuba’s independence was first proclaimed here in 1868 in front of the city hall. 

Fiesta de la Cubania- Bayamo is known for this unique Saturday night street party unlike any other festival in the country. You’ll hear the locally famous pipe organs playing, dancing is expected. Chess sets line the street for anyone that wants to play.  

Hiking - There are numerous trails to hike in Granma province, many are easy to reach from Manzanillo and Bayamo. As you walk through the lush forests, know that you may be walking in Fidel Castro’s footsteps as this area was one of his hiding spots during the revolution.

After breakfast and check out, you will be picked up for your private transfer from  Bayamo to Camaguey. This drive will take approximately 3.5 hours and upon arrival you will have the rest of the day at leisure to explore Camaguey.

Located in the eastern half of Cuba, Camagüey is one of the island’s gems. Dating back to its foundation by Spanish colonists in the early 1500s, just a few years after Christopher Columbus reached the new world for the first time, it is one of Cuba’s original seven colonial settlements. As a result, its UNESCO-enshrined winding pastel-coloured streets ooze history, while Cuba’s third-largest city has also become a bastion of art, meaning there’s plenty of things to do in Camagüey!

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Camagüey is something of a Cuban stronghold for the Roman Catholic church, meaning there are plenty of exquisite religious structures to explore in the city. Though the unmissable Church of Our Lady of Soledad, on one of the city’s main intersections, is perhaps the most photographed

Museo Provincial Ignacio Agramonte: This museum is home to Cuba’s second largest collection of modern and contemporary art and is a must-see for any visitor to Camagüey.

Parque Ignacio Agramonte: This square is in the heart of the city, and with many trees and comfortable seating, it’s a popular place to spend the afternoon or early evening

 Casino Campestre: This massive green space stretches over Río Hatibonico, and is Cuba’s largest urban park. It makes for the perfect place to relax and enjoy the afternoon sun.

Just Get Lost: While it hasn’t had the same international coverage as Varadero and Havana, Camagüey is still one of Cuba’s most intriguing cities.

Hotel E Santa María provides accommodation in Camagüey. Located in front of the Parish Nuestra Senora de la La Soledad , built in a beautiful eclectic style that fits perfectly in the environment, the hotel is also distinguished by its elegance and top quality service.  

All rooms boast a TV with satellite channelsall with air conditioning, hairdryer, mini bar, satellite TV, safe and WIFI. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a à la carte breakfast.

This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and take the approximately 4 hour drive to Trinidad. Upon arrival you will check in and have the rest of the day at leisure to explore Trinidad. 

History and luxury in Trinidad, Cuba - these make up the perfect combination for many people. 

This hotel in the Spanish chain Iberostar is located in the lovely city of Trinidad, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its cultural wealth. This luxury hotel offers exceptional charm which you can experience in its luxury suites, its gourmet culinary offer in its restaurants, its wonderful architecture and the superior services it offers all travellers. Experience the luxury and exclusivity that this Iberostar hotel offers.

The small Cuban city of Trinidad is a firm favourite with travellers, and most visitors to the island make a point of visiting its colonial streets. It is Cuba’s best preserved colonial city, a unique mix of 1850’s architecture & 1950’s cars that feels frozen in time. Here are the top attractions that you should make an effort to see while you are there. 

Plaza Mayor: The main square is a safe bet as a starting point in any city, and Trinidad is no different. It’s a picturesque spot, and one that is surrounded by many other attractions. Before you start exploring, grab a drink at one of the cafés or bars and just soak up the atmosphere. 

Museo Historico Municipal: This museum is housed in the neoclassical Palacio Cantero, and locals will be able to help you find it if you use either name. The palace was built in the early 1800s and now houses exhibits on the history of the city and the wider region. After you’ve had a good look around, climb up the tower and enjoy the view over the city.

Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad:The biggest church in Cuba sits at one end of the Plaza Mayor, and hides plenty of treasures beneath a simple exterior. People come from far and wide to worship the statue of the Christ of the True Cross, which was left behind by a Spanish captain who was blown to shore near Trinidad en route to Mexico in the 18th century.

Museo Nacional de Lucha Contra Bandidos: This museum is housed inside the famous Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, with its yellow and green bell tower. Before the exhibits were moved in, the building was a convent, then a church and later a jail.

Casa de la Musica: Music is a huge deal in Cuba, and every city has a Casa de la Musica. The difference in Trinidad is that the venue is spread over the stairs that lead up from Plaza Mayor, and people hang around drinking, dancing and enjoying the views over the city. There is live music every night from 7pm 

Optional: Not included in starting price

You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Marina in the Ancon's Peninsula to board a sailboat that will take you to an uninhabited island. The sailboat or catamaran will sail through the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea to the Cayo Iguana (lizard island). On your way you will see the bay, the port and fishing village of Casilda.

Also included is snorkeling at the coral reef with the gear included. There is an open bar on board and on the island you will be able to enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. 

After lunch there will be free time at the beach for swimming and sunbathing or enjoy the local fauna. You will then  return to the Marina.

Optional: Not included in starting price

In this tour you will visit the Mirador Panoramic viewpoint which has beautiful views of Cuba. You will also learn some history about Cuba & Trinidad. Next stops are the sugarcane plantation San Isidro (or what is left of this impressive plantation) and the Guimaro plantation which belonged to the Borrel family. There is a small museum that can be visited here as well, set up by a local farmer that found old tools while working on his land. You will then return to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure. 

After checking out of your hotel, your driver will take you from Trinidad to Varadero. This drive will take approximately 4 hours.

This is an all-inclusive resort on the beachfront in Varadero and boasts a magnificent location. Its rooms are very comfortable and provide all the comforts required both for couples and for family vacations. 

Highlights include the bungalow accommodation in the gardens overlooking the pool and the sea. Sol Palmeras has a hot tub, one pool for adults and another one for kids

Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and features a TV with cable channels. Certain rooms feature a seating area to relax in after a busy day. Enjoy a cup of coffee while looking out at the sea or garden. The private bathrooms come with free toiletries and a hair dryer.

Exquisite dining is another resort highlight, including Asian, Italian, Creole and Mexican cuisine. There are also several bars and other areas for enjoying snacks or ice cream, all with an unmistakable tropical touch.

Make sure you take full advantage of all the fun spaces and facilities the resort offers. A beautiful strip of beach, swimming pools, sundecks with outdoor Jacuzzis, a gym and areas for sports or water sports are just some of the options at your disposal. You can also play tennis and table tennis at this hotel.

Varadero, located on the beautiful 20km-long Hicacos Peninsula, stands at the vanguard of Cuba’s most important industry, tourism. It is a large resort area in the Caribbean and has over 60 properties as well as many shops, water activities and poolside entertainment. The main draw for Varadero, is most definitely the stunning world class beach. Here you have an uninterrupted 20 km stretch of golden sand that is undoubtedly one of the Caribbean's best.

However, there is more to Cuba’s oldest tourist resort than sunbeds and mojitos. Explore mysterious caves, stumble upon ancient rock art or stroll along empty beaches on the nearby cayes. here is a list of some of the things we would suggest to do whilst in this beautiful city:

Stroll through history on the beaches: 20 kilometres long and a seductive shade of blonde, the beach at Varadero is the main, and sometimes only, reason people come to Varadero. It’s why Varadero is the largest resort in the Caribbean.  Despite the development of the area, there are still pockets of coast where you can have the white sands and azure waters almost to yourself.

Explore Reserva Ecológica Varahicacos: Situated on the eastern tip of the Hicacos Peninsula, this small reserve is a rare ecological treat, one of the few places on the peninsula where you can imagine what Varadero was like before the developers arrived. It is the last stronghold of many plant species endemic to this part of Cuba and home to a giant 500 year-old cactus called El Patriarca.

Enter Cuevas de Bellamar (Bellamar Caves): Bellamar Caves are the oldest tourist attraction in Cuba, discovered by a local landowner when the earth ‘swallowed’ one of his ox carts in 1861. Formed over 300,000 years ago, the two-mile system of caves features mesmerising crystalline domes and an impressive display of stalagmites and stalactites.

Go to church: The tiny Santa Elvira dates back to 1938 and is known for its peculiar and irregular structure, a jumble of stone and wood that gives it an almost Alpine character. It features a horseshoe arch that serves as a bell tower with a cross at the top.

Visit the Cayes: Less developed than Varadero, but sharing the same azure sea and cool tropical breezes, the cayes to the east of the peninsula offer a reminder of what the peninsula was like before mass tourism arrived. Cayo Santa Mar, Cayo Ensenachos and Cayo Las Brujas are small islets connected to the mainland by a causeway, still covered in thick mangroves. They are important bird nesting sites, and offer idyllic beaches and sparkling seas.

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and will transfer you to Havana. This will take approximate 1.5 hours. You will bid farewell to your driver as this is the end of your private tour.

After breakfast, enjoy a drive in a classic car exploring the Havana through the alleys of the colonial city: Malecon, 5th Avenue, Jaimanitas, Casa Carlos Fuster, Cementerio Colon, plaza de la Revolucion and callejon de Hamel.

In 1982, UNESCO declared Havana’s historic city center as a world cultural heritage site. There is no city in the whole of Latin America with a larger colonial center.

You will then return to Havana Vieja for a walking tour exploring the old city centre through the alleys and over the “plazas” of Old-Havana: Plaza de Armas, Templete, Palace of the Generals, Cathedral Square, Plaza Vieja, Hemingway’s “Bodeguita”.

Old Havana is safe and fun to walk around and explore, especially during the day. You can wander the streets at leisure on your own without worries.

Things to do in Havana:

• Visit the Museo de la Revolucion
• Take a vintage car tour
• Visit Habana Vieja
• Walk along the Malecòn
• Visit Plaza de la Revolucion
• Taste the local food
• Explore the nightlife in Havana